Last full day in Nara

 We went to Nara by train and visited the Nara Deer Park and the Todai-ji temple.  The giant Buddha image welcomed us in a little rain.

In the Todai complex, we climbed up to the February Hall where we could see the Nara City from the top.

On the way back to the Nara station, we stopped by at the Tamukeyama Hachimangu Shrine.

After having lunch in the station area, we went back to Kyoto.

The rain was not as heavy as we predicted soi it was a nice day trip to Nara.

We will be heading back to the US tomorrow!

Very sunny 6th day in the Silver Pavilion and the Phoenix Pavilion

 The weather recovered and we took a bus to the Silver Pavilion from which we could see the Kyoto city.

From The Silver Pavilion, we walk along the Philosopher's Trail which was like Cherry Blossom Tunnel to get to Nyakuoji Shrine to rest.

Then, we walk to Keage station of the city subway and reached Sanjo Keihan for the lunch break.

In the afternoon, Keihan train took us to Uji city where we enjoyed the Phoenix Pavilion and nearby Uji River Park.

It was a good day!

Sunny 5th day for Arashiyama Area

 The rain yesterday has stopped and had a very sunny day today.  City bus took us from the hotel directly to the Daikakuji Temple where we experienced Shakyo (Buddhist scripture writing)

We walked from Daikakuji to Nonomiya Shrine along the famous strolling course in Sagano. 

Incredibly many people were walking along the Bamboo sorrounded path.  After walking along Oi River to Togetsu Bridge, we had a two hour break befor enjoying full bloom SAKURA in Arashiyama park.

4th day with slight rain

 It was raining from the morning slightly.  We visited Hashimoto Corporation which exclusivelly sell tires and luxuary auto parts for foreign cars especially German cars.  

This is the first time I planned to visit modern industory and business besides traditional cutural sites.

We have learned how much Japanese high-end automibile owners are taking care of their BMW, Mercedes, Audi, and other foreign cars,

We received the nice gift and took lovely group pictures.

5 min walk from Hashimoto Corporation was one of the latgest shopping mall in Kyoto where we enjoyed some shopping.

It happened to be good activities for the rainy day.

Long 3rd day with slight Rain

It was a light rain day.  We first went to the Heian Jingu Shrine by bus.  After enjoying its garden we walk along the Lake Biwa Canal whose river bank has been so beautiful with the full broom of SAKURA.

Then the train took us to the Lake Biwa where we had some cruise experience before heading back to Kyoto city and visited Nijo Castle Garden and Shinsenen Garden.

From 8:30am to 4:30pm, it was a long day today. 

Nice day continues on the second full day.

 The city bus took us to the Golden Pavilion area, where we visited the Golden Pavilion (Kinkakuji temple), the Rock Garden (Ryoanji temple).

We had lunch at Ritsumeikan University before visiting Hirano Shrine and Kitano Tenmangu Shrine.

From Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, Randen Train took us back to our hotel area. 

Arrived in Kyoto late at Saturday night safely and began the program on Sunday.

  Our airplane from Narita arrived in Osaka later than expected, and because of several unexpected incidents, we reached the hotel around 11pm just before going to bed.

The first full day began with Fushimi Grand Shrine where we experienced going through a part of 1000 Torii Gates.  From Fushimi Inari, we went to Sanjusangendo temple where students enjoy magnificent 1001 statues of Buddha for mercy. 

After the lunch break in Gion area, we headed to Yasaka Shrine and Maruyama Park.  In the Yasaka Shrine we happened to see the wedding.  Main Cherry Blossoms in Maruyama Park were in full bloom with many SAKURA trees around it.

From Maruyama Park, we walked in front of Chion'in temple to the subway station near Heian Jingu Shrine, and eventually reached Kyogoku shopping street before going back to the hotel

Very good beginning of the trip.

SAKURA time of 2026 has come.

 As usual, Spring Cherry Blossom time has arrived.  The COD group will leave on Friday and plan to enjoy SAKURA during the trip.  The weather forecast says that SAKURA blooming period, with full bloom, will completely overlap with our schedule.  So, we are so excited.

We added the new event this year.  We will visit a foreign car accessory dealer to learn about the industry in Japan.

Lake Biwa Cruise is also a new attraction this year!  

10th Day, the Last Full Day, Lake Biwa Cruise

 The last activity of the trip is to enjoy cruising on Lake Biwa.  Because Otsu City and Lansing, in the State of Michigan, USA, are sister cities, the cruising boat MICHIGAN allows us to enjoy the beautiful scenic Lake Biwa.  

Students are wrapping up the trip in the afternoon and getting ready for departure early tomorrow morning.

9th Day in Western Part of Kyoto

 A city bus took us to Daikakuji Temple, where we performed "Shakyo (Buddhist Scripture writing."  Under the strong sun, we walked from Daikakuji Temple to the Nonomiya Shrine bamboo forest area, where we could take some nice photos.

Along the bamboo forest, we walked down to the Oi River and Togetsu Bridge.

Some went to the Monkey Park to enjoy the company of monkeys. 

8th Day in Philosopher's Path Area

 The city bus #32 directly took us to the Silver Pavilion (Ginkakuji), where we could view the city from the east end.

From Ginkakuji, we walk along the Philosopher's Path to its end, where we can visit Nyakuoji Shrine.

After a little break, we moved forward to Okazaki Shrine, which is famous for giving a peaceful birth of a healthy child.

Afternoon is free for everyone as the final day approaches.

7th Day for Osaka Cup Noodle Museum in the morning and Tenjin Festival Fireworks at night

 It was another hot and humid day today.  In the morning, we visited the Osaka Cup Noodle Museum, where everyone had the opportunity to create a unique cup noodle in the factory.  There was a short movie about how the cup noodle was invented.

After returning to Kyoto and had some cooling break, we went to Osaka again for enjoying Osaka Tenjin Festival and its fireworks show.

Another great day was over and tomorrow will be the little lighter day,

6th Day of the trip is the Gion Festival Float Parade and Sanjusangen-do Temple

 Over 95°F continues.    We observed Gion Festival Parade and Float TURN at the intersection called Tsujimawashi, as well as Hanagasa Junko (Flower Umbrella Parade).

We also visited Sanjusangendo Temple, where 1001 statues/images of Buddha of Mercy.  We were supposed to visit there on the very first day, but I had to switch the schedule due to the weather.  

We dismissed earlier to accommodate everyone's interest, as well as a severe heat wave.

We are now getting into the last half of the trip.    Adventure continues!

5th Day was the OSAKA/KANSAI EXPO 2025

We began a bit earlier than usual this morning  to get to Osaka by some trains and enjoyed the world exhibit participated by over 160 nations.  The day was ended with a special fireworks show and was very impressive. 

Final train of the day took us back to Kyoto and asked us to be ready for tomorrow's Gion Festival Float marching.

Another heat wave hit us again!

4Th Day in Golden Pavilion & the Rock Garden

Very hot 100F heat index day was for us to visit the Golden Pavilion and the Rock Garden (Ryoanji).  It was not too far between two temples, but we felt very far as the heat continued to attack us.

From Ryoanji Temple we went to Ritsumeikan University, where we had lunch in its cafeteria located at Zonshinkan. 

From Ritsumeikan University, we walked to Kitano Tenmangu via Hirano Shrine.

From Hakubaicho, Randen train took back home.

Nara Deer Park and the Giant Buddha on the 3rd day of the trip

Three different trains took us to Nara in the morning, and we walked to the World's Largest wooden building which housed Great Buddha image.

Exceptionally high heat caused a little modification of the daily plan to avoid acidents. 

Instead of heading to Kasuga Grand Shrine we went back to the train station area shopping street for lunch.

After lunch, we came back to Kyoto Station where we were we took bus to the hotel.

Another great day.

2nd day Phoenix Pavilion and Heian Jingu Shrine

 In the morning, we took the train to Uji City and visited Byodoin, also known as the Phoenix Pavilion.

On the way back, we went directly to Sanjo Keihan area, where we took a lunch break before heading to Heian Jingu Shrine.

In Okazaki Park in front of Heian Jingu Shrine, a flea Market was taking place. Some enjoyed the Flea market after observing Heian Jingu Garden.

SUMMER 2025 JAPAN TRIP began and Nijo Castle on upon arrival in Kyoto

 For the first time, we left Chicago at midnight so that we wouldn't waste the first day.

You can sleep as soon as you board and get some nice sleep in Chicago time. 

We arrived in Haneda at about 4am so it was quite fast and smooth to go through the passport control and the customs. 

Our Osaka flight got to Itami Airport about 7:30 and to the hotel in Kyoto around 9am.

We have dropped luggage and left for the Nijo Castle.  Already very hot and humid.

City subway tok us to the central Kyoto shopping area where we started to look around what is going on.

Final day in Nara

 The final full day was dedicated to visiting Nara where the Giant Buddha image is situated in the world's oldest wooden structure.

Sakura in the surrounding area is all in full bloom, and deer native to Nara are enjoying strolling and begging tourists for food.

After a lunch break at Higashimuki Shopping Street, we headed back to Kyoto.

Great weather helped us.

6th Day is to walk down on the Philosopher's Path and to extend to the Phoenix Pavilion

 We began walking along the Philosopher's Path from the Silver Pavilion to Nyakuoji Shrine for a little over a mile through a tunnel of the cherry blossoms.

At the Naykuoji Shrine we had a little break before heading to the Phoenix Pavilion.

After the lunch break in Gion, the train took us to Uji city where the Phoenix Paviion stands.

It was rather a quick moving tour day but very cozy weather helped us to move smoothly.